Kern River Corgi Policies and Agreements

At Kern River Corgis we do our best to spoil, love, and care for your puppy as we would do any of our own dogs until they are released to you. When you are ready to fill out our waitlist form please read over the following policies in order to further understand what we will be asking of you as a future Kern River Corgi pet owner. We believe that bringing a puppy into the world is a lifelong commitment. To help ensure the safety and well-being of every puppy we produce, all buyers are asked to read and sign a legally binding agreement as part of our purchase contract. Here are some of the highlights you will find in said contract.​

 

• Spay and Neuter Agreement

As stated above all puppies are sold on a spay/neuter contract, which is reviewed and signed by every buyer before taking their puppy home. Our contract requires that all pet puppies be spayed or neutered by 18 months of age. While we encourage every family to discuss the ideal timing with their veterinarian based on their individual dog’s health and development, we have chosen the 18-month deadline to allow a Corgi’s growth plates adequate time to close and mature before altering. This approach supports healthy skeletal development while ensuring that puppies sold as companions are not used for breeding.

 

• Return Agreement

If, at any point during the dog’s life, an owner is no longer able to keep or properly care for their Corgi, they are required to contact Kern River Corgis before rehoming, surrendering, or placing the dog with another individual or organization. We will either welcome the dog back into our care or assist in finding a carefully screened, suitable new home.

This policy reflects our commitment to every puppy we breed and helps ensure that our dogs will not end up in shelters, rescues, or uncertain situations. Responsible breeding extends far beyond the day a puppy goes home, and we are dedicated to supporting our puppies and their families for life.

 

• Vaccines and Health

The health and well-being of every puppy is our highest priority. Before joining their new families, all of our puppies receive age-appropriate vaccinations and a comprehensive veterinary health examination. We also perform genetic testing on our breeding dogs to ensure that the puppies we produce are not at risk for Degenerative Myelopathy (DM), Von Willebrand Disease (vWD), or Exercise-Induced Collapse (EIC).

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To help ensure our puppies continue to receive the highest standard of care throughout their lives, we require all new owners to sign our Vaccination and Health Agreement. This legally binding agreement outlines the owner’s responsibility to keep their dog current on recommended vaccinations and provide routine veterinary care. If an owner is ever unable to meet these responsibilities, we ask that they follow our Return Agreement so the dog can be returned to our care, where we will ensure they receive the attention and placement they deserve.​

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• Pricing Policy

To ensure a smooth and transparent purchasing process, all Kern River Corgi buyers are required to sign a Pricing Agreement as part of our purchase contract. This legally binding agreement outlines the agreed-upon purchase price, payment method, payment schedule, and the terms of our health guarantee. It helps ensure that both the buyer and breeder have a clear understanding of their responsibilities, allowing us to provide a positive experience while protecting the best interests of everyone involved.

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A note about OFAs

At Kern River Corgis, we believe every breeder should make health-testing decisions based on their own breeding program, experience, and philosophy. While many reputable breeders choose to perform OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) evaluations, we have made the personal decision not to include OFA testing in our program at this time.

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Hip dysplasia is a complex condition influenced by many factors, including genetics, nutrition, growth, exercise, environment, injuries, and overall development. While OFA evaluations provide valuable information about the individual dog being tested, they cannot guarantee that a puppy will or will not develop hip dysplasia during its lifetime.

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Instead, we focus our health program on things we can guarantee, comprehensive genetic testing through Embark to ensure our breeding dogs are not at risk of producing puppies affected by Degenerative Myelopathy (DM), Von Willebrand Disease (vWD), or Exercise-Induced Collapse (EIC). We also carefully evaluate the overall health, structure, temperament, and longevity of our breeding dogs and their family lines when making breeding decisions.

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We understand that every family has different priorities when selecting a breeder. We encourage all prospective puppy owners to research the various health-testing methods available and choose a breeder whose program aligns with their own values and expectations. If OFA testing is an important part of your decision-making process, we are happy to recommend several reputable breeders who incorporate OFA evaluations into their breeding programs.